'Bulldozer' Israel Katz Brings Controversial Record To Israel's Defence Ministry

Israel Katz was appointed Defence Minister after the sacking of Yoav Gallant. Netanyahu loyalist known for abrasive politics nicknamed 'bulldozer' in local media. Unlike Gallant, Katz is likely to back Netanyahu's aggressive plans for Gaza, Lebanon. Born in 1955 in Ashkelon Katz was drafted into the military in 1973. Unlike Gallant, Katz did not hold a top military rank, served as a paratrooper.

Katz member of Netanyahu's Likud party, entered Israeli Knesset in 1998. Served on several committees like Foreign affairs, defense & justice. Known for extreme policies against Arabs in Palestine & expansion of settlement. Katz strongly opposes two-state solution for the Israel-Palestanie conflict.

Katz declared UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres persona non grata in Oct 2024. 'Guterres is an antisemitic, anti-Israel, he didn't condemn Iran's attack on Israel unequivocally'.

In Oct, Katz proposed legal action against French President Emmanuel Macron. Katz got upset after Paris banned Israeli firms from participating in Military Naval Trade Show.

Katz declared Brazil’s Prez Lula persona non grata for relating Gaza war to Holocaust. Katz started a diplomatic battle against UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

In Oct, Israel’s parliament banned the agency from working in Israel, Palestine. Katz has proposed an artificial island off Gaza to house Palestinian residents. European counterparts reject Katz's plan during Jan 2024 discussions.

ENDLESS TWITTER FEUDS

Katz's Twitter is filled with several controversial posts, criticising world leaders. Katz compared Türkiye President Erdogan with Saddam Hussain. Most controversial posts target Spain, Ireland & Norway for recognising Palestinian statehood. 'Ireland, if your goal was to reward terrorism by declaring support for Palestinian state, you’ve achieved it'.

On 7 October 2019, Katz reportedly leaked national security meeting information. Katz tweeted that the then-IDF chief admitted to the Israeli operation on the Iranian embassy in Syria. IDF, political rivals criticised Katz for publicising sensitive military information.

Also Watch: Protests In Tel Aviv, Jerusalem After Netanyahu Sacks Yoav Gallant, Israel Katz New Defence Minister